We are here! Flights were easy. Des Moines to Chicago was a breeze as usual. Food on the flight to Frankfurt was surprisingly good. Vegetarian Ravioli was better than the chicken. Was nice they has little TV's with programs or games you could watch on the back of every seat.

Kids slept some on the flight as did Wendy. I did not. We were loosing several hours so trying to fall asleep at 6 PM Iowa time was impossible for this night owl.

We got to Frankfurt just after 5 AM local time. We had to circle a bit or we would have arrived before anything opened, wouldn't have had security, customs or a a ground crew. Worked out fine. Frankfurt airport is huge and very, very nice. Got some excellent coffee and some pastries from some very nice and English speaking staff at a cafe/kiosk. The gentleman teased Jack and offered him a double expresso. (German girls are beautiful BTW)

If we had shopped in the duty free store there we could have won a fancy Jaguar car. We didn't shop. We had enough to carry,

We are very proud of the kids. We had alot of luggage (one checked and one carry on for each of us) They weren't packed full so we have room for the new three's clothes and things when we come back. Jack and Jaenelle were real troopers. Little complaining, on very little sleep and a whole lot of helping and trying. i had a death grip on my carry on. Our electronics, all the important papers oh and $3500 in cash because we had to put down 2200 Euros (about $2600 US) for the Apt for the month. Will only get $200 back as a deposit.

Apt is small and OK. Reinforces to me how fortunate we are to live in the US and have what we do. So much of what Americans think of as essential is useless luxury. Then again, we are so wealthy, we should do more to make sure others have what we do.

I'll load pictures of the apt later.

WE MEET THE KIDS TODAY (on day two every thing above was day one)

Probably won't be going to the orphan court to get guardianship but that could happen in a day or two. Wendy is nervous and had a hard time sleeping. We played cards until midnight to help ease her mind. Kids had to be woken up from naps to eat dinner (Spanish Tortilla) and then went right back to bed.

Not sure why she was nervous. Wendy may marvel at me being such a driving force on things, but she is amazing frankly. Everything works because she makes it work. I couldn't do everything with travel plans, money, legal paperwork etc if she didn't do what she does. Behind every good man is a better woman, I firmly believe that. This experience proves that in spades. My wife is wonderful, and we are very lucky to have her.

It's go time! More later. If any of you feel kinda sick not knowing what is going to happen today after reading this, well think how we feel. Hur hur hur.